Let us start with a question: Why train in martial arts? ~ I can tell you why I, and countless others spanning millennia's, have trained in combat arts: There is something we want to protect. Defending a loved one or protecting the realm, there is a need and a desire to shield what we love. In addition to personal defense, training in martial arts promotes a healthy lifestyle, increases strength, builds confidence and is great for those who enjoy contact sports.

The need to increase survivability has lead to the formation of various training methods, systems and styles, generally classified as "Martial Arts". In todays age however, the objective, scope and combat efficacy is highly expansive. Even the definition of "Martial Arts" is debated, which brings us back to the beginning: The root word for martial, is derived from Mars, named after the Roman god of war. Martial arts literally translates as "arts of Mars", in other words "war" or "combat" arts, the teachings in Via De Custos are directly in line with that definition.